Inspirational Sheila ready to take on It’s a Knockout after giving cancer a beating!

“I used my hair as a shield to cover up my condition so losing it was a big worry for me. But then I discovered wigs, so every day was a good hair day!”

A Merseyside woman who has beaten cancer is taking on a knockout challenge, in a bid to help save the lives of others diagnosed with breast cancer on Merseyside.

Former hairdresser Sheila Fairclough wants to raise funds for the Royal Liverpool University Hospital’s R Charity to help other women receive treatment that will save lives in the new Royal.

After years of treatment for a massive ten-centimetre tumour in her breast, the 52-year-old from OId Swan admits the disease has given her a new outlook on life.

Sheila and ten of her closest friends will take part in an inflatable obstacle course based on the hit TV show ‘It’s a Knockout’ to raise money for the Breast Unit in the new Royal.

Sheila said: “I went for my first breast screening appointment just after my 50th birthday. I’d spoken to my GP as I thought I should have been earlier, but screenings can go on until 53.

“I went along to my appointment not expecting anything and I couldn’t feel a lump. I had a small section of skin on my boob that was slightly different – but I thought that was just wrinkles setting in.

“I had no history of breast cancer or any cancer in my family. But I was called back to a follow-up appointment and I knew something was wrong.”

Sheila underwent a surgery to remove the breast and after a long recovery started her chemotherapy treatment.

For most people, this would be a particularly distressing period, but Sheila also has Bell’s palsy, a condition that affects the facial muscles and causes facial paralysis.

Sheila said: “I used my hair as a shield to cover up my condition so losing it was a big worry for me. But then I discovered wigs, so every day was a good hair day!”

During her treatment, Sheila didn’t allow the cancer to affect her positive outlook. She now uses her experience as a drive to raise funds for local cancer charities on Merseyside.

Shelia has raised money for the Breast Unit at Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Sunflowers and Cancer Research UK, through skydiving, tea and coffee afternoons and abseiling.

The money Sheila raises will provide patients in the new Royal’s Breast Unit with the best treatment and comfort during their stay in hospital.

She said: “Having cancer has taught me how to live. You have to keep going and keep doing things you want to do.

“I have nine other people in my team of Warriors for It’s a Knockout. The whole day is going to be a laugh with my best mates. It’s more of a fun challenge and there should be something for everyone in there.

“If I can live through losing all my eyelashes and hair, I can get through anything!”

Sheila and her team of Warriors are taking part in R Charity’s It’s a Knockout on Saturday 6 May at Riverside Police Club.

Places for teams are still available by calling the R Charity Fundraising Office on 0151 706 3150 or by emailing fundraising@rlbuht.nhs.uk. Individuals can also sign up to take part.

You can support Sheila and her team of Warriors by donating to their Just Giving page.